Don Mason – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Don Mason’s name probably won’t pop up on any Hall of Fame ballots, but his eight-year run in Major League Baseball tells a story of persistence and dedication. He played second base for the San Francisco Giants and San Diego Padres from 1966 to 1973, experiencing both the highs and lows of pro baseball while sharing the field with some of the game’s legends.

Donald Stetson Mason retired from MLB in 1973 after playing 336 games over eight seasons. He posted a .205 batting average, hit 3 home runs, and drove in 27 runs. Sure, his offensive stats look pretty modest, but his journey from a Boston high school standout to a big league regular really reflects the stories of countless players who formed the backbone of professional baseball during the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Mason’s career spanned a fascinating era in baseball history, including the expansion years that brought teams like the Padres into the league. His story gives us a glimpse into the challenges utility players faced, the value of defensive specialists, and what life was like for the everyday ballplayers who made the game possible during a pivotal time in MLB history.

Early Life and Education

Donald Stetson Mason was born on December 20, 1944, in Boston, Massachusetts. He honed his baseball skills during his early years in Newton.

He went to Newton High School before continuing his baseball career at Parsons College.

Birth and Family Background

Donald Stetson Mason arrived in Boston on December 20, 1944. He grew up in Newton, a nearby community, where his family put down roots.

The Mason family gave Donald plenty of support for his athletic development. Growing up in the Boston area, he soaked up the rich baseball culture of New England in the ’40s and ’50s.

Newton had youth baseball programs and local leagues that Mason could join. The community really emphasized sports, shaping his early interest in baseball.

His family encouraged him to pursue athletics throughout his teenage years.

High School and Early Baseball Involvement

At Newton High School in Massachusetts, Mason began to show off his baseball talent. The school’s baseball program offered structured training and a chance to compete.

During high school, Mason focused on developing his skills as an infielder. He showed off the defensive abilities that would later define his pro career.

He worked on his batting stance and throwing mechanics through regular practice and coaching. Newton High’s team faced off against other schools in Massachusetts.

Mason’s performances caught the eyes of college scouts and pro observers. His left-handed batting and right-handed throwing made him a pretty intriguing prospect.

College Years at Parsons College

Mason took his education and baseball career to Parsons College. The school gave him access to advanced training and tougher competition, which helped get him ready for pro baseball.

At Parsons, Mason sharpened his defensive skills at second base and shortstop. The coaching staff there helped him build the fundamentals that would carry him through his eight seasons in the majors.

His time at Parsons bridged the gap between high school ball and the pros. That experience set him up for the San Francisco Giants, who signed him in 1966.

Those college years were crucial in his growth into a player who could handle MLB-level defensive duties.

MLB Career Overview

Don Mason played eight seasons in Major League Baseball from 1966 to 1973, mostly as a second baseman for the San Francisco Giants and San Diego Padres. He debuted at 21 and finished with a .205 batting average and 143 hits in 336 games before hanging up his cleats in 1973.

Major League Debut with San Francisco Giants

Mason kicked off his MLB career on April 14, 1966, with the San Francisco Giants at just 21. The Giants picked him up in the Rule 5 draft from the Washington Senators in November 1965.

His rookie season was short, with only 26 plate appearances and three hits. One of those hits, though, was a solo home run off Cincinnati Reds pitcher Sammy Ellis on June 24, 1966.

Mason stuck with San Francisco from 1966 to 1970. He played three full seasons there in 1969, 1970, and 1971. In 1969, he played over 100 games for the first time.

In 1967, Mason really came into his own as a defender. He led the Eastern circuit in putouts and fielding percentage, making his mark as a top-notch second baseman.

Playing Tenure with San Diego Padres

On December 4, 1970, the Giants traded Mason to the San Diego Padres along with William Frost for Steve Huntz. That move started his three-year run with San Diego from 1971 to 1973.

Mason’s biggest year came in 1971 when he served as the Padres’ main second baseman. He started 90 games at second, making him the most-used player at that position for the team that season.

Even with all that playing time, Mason struggled at the plate in 1971. He batted just .212 and managed only 11 RBIs in his 90 starts.

Mason kept playing for the Padres through 1972 and 1973, though his time on the field shrank in those last seasons.

Career Highlights and Milestones

Mason’s eight-year MLB career brought steady, if not flashy, numbers. He played in 336 games and racked up 143 hits, including 16 doubles, three triples, and three home runs.

He made his biggest impact on defense. Mason mostly played second base but filled in at shortstop when needed. That 1967 season, when he led the league in defensive stats, marked the high point of his career.

Career Statistics:

• Batting Average: .205
• Games Played: 336
• Hits: 143
• Home Runs: 3
• RBIs: 27
• Runs Scored: 102

Mason passed rookie status during the 1969 season, officially ending his rookie eligibility after three years in the majors.

Retirement in 1973

Mason played his final MLB game on May 30, 1973, against the Montreal Expos. He had one at-bat and didn’t get a hit in what turned out to be his last big league appearance at age 28.

He kept playing baseball in the minors through the 1974 season before wrapping up his pro career for good.

After stepping away from baseball, Mason moved to Cape Cod in 1979. He settled there and stayed in South Yarmouth, Massachusetts, until his death in 2018 at 73.

Mason’s career really showed what the journeyman player experience was like in the late ’60s and early ’70s. He managed to stick around for eight seasons, even if his bat never really heated up.

Statistical Accomplishments

Don Mason’s eight seasons in the majors didn’t light up the scoreboard, but he definitely showed off his defensive capabilities as a utility infielder. His .205 career batting average and .250 slugging percentage made it clear he was a defense-first guy who contributed with his glove at second and other infield spots.

Batting and Offensive Stats

Mason piled up 143 hits in 696 at-bats over 336 games. His best season with the bat came in 1969, when he played 104 games for the Giants and picked up 57 hits and 43 runs.

He never really showed much power, hitting just 3 home runs in eight seasons. Those came against Sammy Ellis (June 24, 1966), Gary Nolan (April 27, 1971), and Gary Neibauer (September 22, 1971).

Mason also notched 16 doubles and 3 triples. Most of his 27 RBIs came during his busier years with the Giants and Padres.

His on-base percentage sat at .278, a bit higher than his batting average thanks to 70 career walks. Mason scored 102 runs in his MLB run, with 1969 and 1971 being his most productive years at the plate.

Fielding and Defensive Performance

Mason’s defense stood out early on. The 1969 Topps Baseball Card mentioned that he “led the Eastern circuit in putouts and fielding” during the 1967 minor league season.

In the majors, Mason played all over the infield but spent most of his time at second base. He filled in at shortstop and third base when needed.

In 1971 with San Diego, he handled 434 total chances at second base and posted a .965 fielding percentage, turning 47 double plays.

His fielding percentages varied depending on position, but his best work always seemed to come at second. That 5.28 range factor in 1971 showed he could cover plenty of ground.

Pinch Hitting and Pinch Running Roles

Mason also chipped in as a pinch hitter and pinch runner, though the stats for those roles are pretty sparse. His left-handed bat gave managers some flexibility, especially against right-handed pitchers.

During his later years with San Diego, Mason spent more time coming off the bench. In 1972 and 1973, he played in just 9 and 8 games, respectively.

His last MLB at-bat came on May 30, 1973, against Montreal. He didn’t get a hit, and that marked the end of his pro career.

Even when he wasn’t in the starting lineup, Mason brought veteran leadership and gave his teams some much-needed infield depth.

Notable Seasons and Team Contributions

Mason’s career included two seasons where he really contributed as a regular. His 1969 run with San Francisco and 1971 stint with San Diego were his most significant at the major league level.

1969 Season with San Francisco Giants

In 1969, Mason established himself as a reliable utility infielder for the Giants. He played over 100 games for the first time, showing his value as a defensive specialist.

The lefty provided steady glove work at both second base and shortstop. His fielding skills earned him regular starts that year.

Mason’s offense was still limited, but the Giants leaned on him for his defense and versatility.

That season really marked his arrival as a trusted role player. The Giants counted on him to fill in around the infield.

1971 Season with San Diego Padres

Mason’s biggest role came in 1971 with the Padres. He served as the team’s main second baseman, starting 90 games.

The Massachusetts native ended up being the most-used second baseman for San Diego that year. His steady glove gave the infield some much-needed consistency.

Offensively, things didn’t get any easier for Mason. He hit .212 with only 11 RBIs, even with all that playing time.

Key 1971 Statistics:

• 90 starts at second base
• .212 batting average
• 11 RBIs

That season was the peak of Mason’s major league responsibilities. The Padres trusted him as their everyday guy at a key defensive position.

Performance in Other MLB Seasons

In his other seasons, Mason saw less action. He played sporadically between 1966 and 1973, aside from his two standout years.

His rookie season in 1966 brought just 26 plate appearances and three hits. One highlight came on June 24, when he hit his first big league home run off Cincinnati’s Sammy Ellis.

Mason hit home runs off three different pitchers during his career: Sammy Ellis in 1966, Gary Nolan on April 27, 1971, and Gary Neibauer on September 22, 1971.

His final MLB game was on May 30, 1973, against Montreal. Mason wrapped up his eight-season career with a .205 batting average and 143 hits.

Legacy and Impact

Don Mason’s eight seasons with the San Francisco Giants and San Diego Padres established him as a reliable defensive player at second base. His biggest contributions came from his fielding abilities and his steady presence in the infield from 1966 to 1973.

Reputation as a Second Baseman

Mason built his reputation mostly on his glove, not his bat. He hit just .205 for his career, which honestly fit the mold for a defense-first second baseman back in the late ’60s and early ’70s.

He batted lefty and threw righty, logging 336 games over eight big league seasons. If you ask me, his best run came in 1971 with the San Diego Padres, when he started 90 games at second base.

Teams valued Mason’s defensive reliability, and he played over 100 games in both 1969 and 1971. That kind of steady presence let him hang onto a regular spot even though his bat never really heated up.

He kept the infield steady with his fielding, especially during his prime. Managers counted on his glove and the way he turned double plays.

Influence on Teammates and Clubs

Mason spent five seasons with the Giants, from 1966 to 1970. He gave San Francisco some much-needed depth and flexibility during those competitive years.

He joined the Padres from 1971 to 1973 and became their main second baseman as the franchise got started. Mason’s experience helped set the bar for defense on a young team.

Younger players noticed his work ethic and professional attitude. Guys like Mason brought a sense of calm when teams shuffled rosters or tried to rebuild.

He grew up in Massachusetts and played multiple sports at Newton High, excelling at both baseball and hockey. That background brought a different kind of athletic perspective to his clubs.

Recognition and Career Assessment

Mason finished with 143 hits, 16 doubles, three triples, and three home runs. Over 336 games, he drove in 27 runs, which pretty much sums up his role as a defensive specialist more than an offensive threat.

He made his MLB debut on April 14, 1966, facing the Chicago Cubs at just 21. His last big league game happened on May 30, 1973, against the Montreal Expos.

Baseball historians see Mason as a classic example of the defense-first middle infielder from his era. He played right as the game shifted from pitcher-dominated seasons in the ’60s to more offense in the years that followed.

The Giants picked him up in the Rule 5 draft after he hit .285 in Class A ball. Mason managed to stick around for eight years in the majors, which says a lot about how teams valued his defense.

Personal Life and Post-Retirement

After his major league career wrapped up in 1973, Donald Stetson Mason moved on from professional baseball. He eventually settled on Cape Cod, spending his last decades there before passing away in 2018 at age 73.

Life After Baseball

Mason’s baseball career ended after the 1974 minor league season. He stepped away from the game that had shaped his twenties.

By 1979, five years after retiring, Mason decided to start fresh. He moved to Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and stayed there for the rest of his life.

Leaving pro sports behind kicked off a new chapter for Mason. He’d spent nearly a decade in organized baseball, from signing with the Senators in 1965 to his final season in 1974.

His move back to Massachusetts brought him full circle—he was born in Boston and played high school ball at Newton. Cape Cod became his home for nearly forty years.

Passing and Remembrance

Donald Stetson Mason died on June 19, 2018, in South Yarmouth, Massachusetts. He was 73.

He’d called Cape Cod home for 39 years before his death. Mason’s passing closed the book on a life that included eight seasons in the majors during the late ’60s and early ’70s.

The Cape Cod Times published his obituary on June 21, 2018, just two days after he died. The local paper’s coverage showed how much he’d become part of the Cape community.

He passed away 45 years after his final MLB appearance with the Padres on May 30, 1973.

Honors and Memorials

You can still find Mason’s baseball stats in official MLB records and on baseball reference sites. He played 336 games over eight seasons with the San Francisco Giants and San Diego Padres, and those numbers are locked into baseball history.

As a second baseman, Mason made his MLB debut on April 14, 1966, with the Giants. He hit his first big league home run on June 24, 1966, off Cincinnati Reds pitcher Sammy Ellis.

Sites like Baseball Reference lay out all the details of Mason’s career, from his .205 lifetime batting average to three home runs and 27 RBIs. These numbers keep his professional baseball days alive for anyone curious enough to look.

Back in high school, Mason made a name for himself at Newton High, not just in baseball but also in hockey. That part of his story still sticks around as a piece of his athletic legacy.